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more sense than she knew. His heart pounded as he realized she still trusted him after all he’d put her through, and all he’d said today. The fact she trusted him to provide that refuge staggered him. And yet, he couldn’t help the feeling that there was expectation attached to it.
    â€œAnna.” He wanted to reach out and touch the creamy skin of her face, but something held him back. “My home is your home. For as long as you need. That’s what families do.”
    He looked at the floor where Matteo shook a small toy in front of Aurelia and she giggled, showing four small teeth. “It’s amazing to see you with children.”
    She laughed, popping the sliced bread on a sheet he’d set out and brushing the tops with oil. “Matteo’s nearly four. Surely it isn’t much of a shock.”
    But it was, for him. The day she’d stood up in church and married Stefano something had died inside him. He’d tried very hard to dig deep and be happy for her, but had never quite accomplished it. There was always something about her husband he’d never trusted. And then there were children, the final twist of the knife, and her life had moved away from his completely. He’d let it. And so had Alex. Together the two of them had failed her. He stared at the dark sweep of her hair. The least he could do was try to make up for it now.
    Even if he wasn’t quite prepared for children in his home. Making a meal for a beautiful woman usually involved wine and candles and soft music. Not toddlers on the floor. Candles would be a mistake, and normally he’d have music on but he’d left the stereo off because Matteo and Aurelia had been sleeping. When he’d offered them a temporary place to stay, he hadn’t realized how many changes he’d have to make to his normal routine.
    He hadn’t been willing to make them years ago. His brow furrowed. He wasn’t the kind to dwell on what might have been, but with Anna before him with her children, it was impossible to escape the idea.
    â€œI haven’t been as attentive as I should have been over the years,” he apologized. “I’m sorry for that.”
    She pushed the tray of bread under the broiler and straightened. “Stefano didn’t make it easy. On any of us. And you had your own life to live.”
    Suddenly she smiled. “You’ve done so well, Jace. Two Willows is getting some good buzz in the industry. Papa nearly swallowed his tongue when he saw the article on you in March.” Her eyes sparkled with mischief. “And VQA designation now. That was a real bee in his bonnet.”
    Jace’s jaw tightened. It was no secret that part of his drive to succeed was being able to rub Roberto’s face in it. Maybe he’d never beat him at his own game, but he was becoming a respected member of the wine-making community. “Good,” he replied shortly, moving to grate fresh parmesan into a bowl. “But I hope you know my commitment is to Two Willows and to the wine. The other…it’s just a side benefit.”
    â€œPapa means well.”
    He couldn’t reply to that without getting in an argument with her, so he stayed quiet. After a few uncomfortable seconds, she continued, softly, “Your father must be proud.”
    The words caused a sting. Jace’s father was laid up with arthritis, looking older than he should because of the years he’d labored too hard. Jace couldn’t do anything about that. His one hesitation about building his business here rather than on Vancouver Island was that he’d have to be away from them more than he liked. His parents were determined not to move, insisting they didn’t want to spend the winters amid the cold and snow of the interior. At least he knew his parents were comfortable and looked after in their home. That had been his first priority as soon as he had any profits.
    For a while he’d